Summary: First in a four part series on the birth of Christ, this sermon looks at how Jesus was lifting burdens, or weights, even before his birth.

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Jesus, The Weight Lifter

(Series on the Birth of Christ – Part 1)

Pastor Wilson Spencer

Liberty Baptist Church

December 4th, 2011

Luke 1:5-6 “5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abijah: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.”

Introduction: I'd like to bring a series of messages this month on the birth of Christ. I'd like for us to look at a few different stories from Scripture and try to see Jesus in new and fresh ways; Try to see Him from different angles and perspectives. With the Holy Spirit being my helper, we will travel down the road that leads to Bethlehem making insightful stops along the way.

The coming of Messiah in the flesh was monumental. He bent the time-line of history with His birth. He made kings tremble and shepherds rejoice. He made old saints smile and self-righteous religious hypocrites scowl. The angels sang praises and the devil hid his face.

Only the Son of God could do all of these things. Only Jesus; the Lamb of God, the Bright and Morning Star, the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

However, there's one title that Jesus holds you are not likely to find in the Bible; Jesus the Weight Lifter. But just because it's not there, as such, doesn't mean that it is not there in essence and I'd like to for us to look today at this aspect of our Lord.

1. Jesus Lifts the Weight of Ridicule:

Elisabeth would have been looked down on because of her barrenness. (Vs. 7)

2. Jesus Lifts the Weight of Anonymity: Mary was a nobody, from nowhere with no hope.

She marveled that God would choose her. (Vs. 46-55 “The Magnificat of Mary)

3. Jesus Lifts the Weight of Oppression:

Zachariah lived under the weight of oppression from Israel's enemies

The coming of Messiah lifted that burden. (Vs. 67-79)

Conclusion: The coming of the Lord into the world brought a lifting of burdens even before it happened. Just His closeness was enough to make John leap for joy inside His mother's womb. His nearness made those who believed in Him look at life in a whole new way.

We have that same privilege today. His Spirit lives inside of us, if we believe, and He is ready to be our weight lifter this morning. What does He need to lift from you?